Although Regulus Black confessed to Dumbledore the structure of the curse, he still didn't go into detail about how to actually use it. It was much like those autobiographies of the wealthy-you can read about their experiences and the wisdom they gained, yet still have no clue how they managed to handle all their affairs at the ti.
The so-called "You can replicate my success" is nothing but utter nonsense.
Therefore, while Regulus Black could discuss the "conception curse" with Dumbledore, he had no intention of teaching him how to cast it.
He had already said everything he was willing to say. What remained were things that couldn't be spoken. Regulus Black fell silent, while Dumbledore contemplated how to extract a bit more information. He even considered using Veritaserum or Legilincy, but he knew that neither would work on his assistant.
"Let congratulate you in advance-under your hand, the Black family shall rise again."
Unable to find a way to get the answers he wanted, Dumbledore could only change the subject.
He knew that many families would be willing to pay a price for the curse, and those prices would eventually push the Black family to the very top.
Regulus Black happily raised his glass in response, as if he were already standing at the pinnacle of the wizarding world.
Dumbledore wants to praise to death! Regulus Black saw through it, but he had no intention of playing along.
He would continue staying at Hogwarts as an assistant. How could he give up such a promising job?
"I would like to request retroactive leave for my previous unexplained absence. I hope you'll approve it, Headmaster. Even though I'm unpaid and there's nothing to deduct, I hope this doesn't affect my future chances of being promoted to professor."
As he left the headmaster's office, Regulus Black made his intentions clear-he wanted to stay at Hogwarts.
The future looked bright-promotion, pay raise, becoming a professor, perhaps even a head of house, and marrying a cute little girl... Just thinking about it got him a little excited!
Upon leaving the headmaster's office, Regulus Black ran into Harry Potter in the corridor.
"Harry Potter, it should be dinner ti right now. Why are you wandering on the eighth floor instead of heading to the Great Hall on the first?"
Regulus Black stopped Harry, who clearly had sothing on his mind. Even Dumbledore had already gone downstairs through the secret passage at this hour. For Harry to still be here was clearly unusual- was he looking for Dumbledore?
"Mr. Black, I ca to ask about tonight's labor service."
Harry still had lingering fears from last year's labor service. He didn't know what kind of task it would be at the start of this school year, nor what might be waiting for him.
"If I rember correctly, Gilderoy Lockhart requested your labor service. It should just be helping him with so personal errands. I'm sure it'll be an easy job-you don't have to worry."
Regulus Black put his arm around Harry's shoulder and started walking with him toward the Great Hall. "I think you're worried the sa thing as last year might happen again. But you really don't need to be. Voldemort's appearance was an accident-no one could have expected he had possessed Professor Quirrell and was controlling him to do all those things he didn't want to do."
Regulus Black didn't mind defending Quirrell a bit. He had no interest in talking badly about soone behind their back.
"He almost killed several tis."
Hearing soone speak kindly of Quirrell made Harry uncomfortable, and he pulled away from Regulus Black's arm.
"That's exactly why I said Quirrell was under Voldemort's control. I recall he already wrote you a letter of apology-didn't you read it?"
After saving Quirrell, Regulus had arranged for him to work at one of his businesses. He had also made sure Quirrell wrote a letter to explain everything in detail especially regarding the tis he had tried to harm Harry. Unless that troublemaker tore it up the mont he received it, he should've known that those actions were all just twisted ways Quirrell was trying to demonstrate authority as a teacher- though he obviously had issues of his own.
As for what Quirrell had said in front of the Mirror of Erised, most of it had been ant for Voldemort's ears to explain why he had to carry out those unnecessary and ultimately fruitless actions.
"I did read that letter, but I can't completely trust what he said. In the end, I don't even know how everything got resolved. I feel like I was the most confused person in the whole situation—everyone else seems to know more about what happened to than I do."
Feeling a bit frustrated, Harry walked along, pounding his fist against the wall. Many of the people in the portraits were annoyed by this, and Regulus Black had to keep greeting them one by one to smooth things over.
It seems this child isn't holding a grudge against Quirrell, but has grown weary of his current identity. After all, he is the Boy Who Lived the one destined to be the focus of every miracle and danger. Each ti Harry Potter survives a threat, his miraculous aura shines even brighter, even more gloriously. Of course, part of the credit belongs to his loyal knight, Ron, who is the one praising Harry the most in the entire school.
Today, Harry had unintentionally shaken off Ron, which gave him a mont to dwell on his thoughts and wander to the entrance of the headmaster's office.
But in Regulus Black's eyes, this was simply adolescent confusion-an inability to find one's rightful place. In this regard, Harry was not even as clear-headed as Ron. At least Ron knew he wanted to be Harry's loyal protector, while Harry himself wavered between being the Savior and just another student. These two identities represent two very different lifestyles. Harry admired the glory of being the Savior but also longed for an ordinary life. And if only the Dursleys stopped mistreating him, life would be just perfect.
But thinking deeper-could it be that Harry's current confusion is because Regulus had taken the diary away, leaving Harry with nothing to do this year?
Should he release the basilisk just to add so excitent to the school year?
Who could guarantee that every ti the basilisk attacked, there wouldn't be direct eye contact with its target? Mrs. Norris had seen it through the reflection in water on the floor, Colin Creevey saw it through his cara lens, Justin Finch-Fletchley saw it indirectly through Nearly Headless Nick, and Hermione Granger through a mirror.
All of that was J.K. Rowling's coincidental storytelling. But in Regulus Black's current reality, who could make such guarantees?
Even indirect eye contact with the basilisk is enough to cause severe petrification. A direct look would be
fatal.
So, the idea of using the diary to let the basilisk out for a stroll was sothing Regulus Black had dismissed from the very beginning.
Which ans Harry won't be having a thrilling and adventurous year.
After dinner, Regulus Black watched as Harry was taken away by Gilderoy Lockhart. The boy didn't look too happy, but labor service that's completely safe is hard to co by. Regulus had no intention of
interfering.
"Harry Potter! Harry Potter! What could be better or easier than helping sign autographs for my adoring fans as part of your labor service?"
rlin knows how many tis Gilderoy Lockhart had joyfully sung that line already! Harry had lost count. Ever since he started signing Lockhart's photos, every now and then, Lockhart would glance at him, beam with delight, and repeat the sa line—as if it were so grand blessing.
"Yes, sir! You're absolutely right."
Harry no longer rembered how many photos he had signed. Wouldn't those wizards who adored Lockhart be heartbroken to learn soone else had signed the pictures on his behalf? "Professor, if soone finds out the autograph isn't the sa as yours, won't that upset your admirers?"
Harry shook out his hand, which was now sore and swollen.
"Of course not! You see, even a celebrity's signature can vary slightly—famous people get hand cramps
too!"
Lockhart bead with a wide smile. His explanation was flawless.
"Besides, if people find out Harry Potter helped sign so of the pictures, I bet my fans would go wild trying to collect them all. It'd be like owning a souvenir from two celebrities."
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